Building on the success of its popular bracket-mount Sea Hawk LED Deck Floodlights and Spot Lamps, Hella marine introduces flush-mount models.  Inconspicuously installed nearly anywhere, the lights are completely sealed, extremely efficient and emit an impressive 240 lumens of crisp, clean white light.

The Sea Hawk Deck Floodlight features a close-range, wide spread of light to illuminate cockpits, decks, BBQs, lockers and transom areas.  With a narrower, more concentrated light pattern, the Spot Lamp works well as a spreader light on the mast and as a foredeck lamp.

To save power, Sea Hawk LED lamps consume less than 3W.  Hella's Integrated Multivolt technology ensures reliable illumination across a range of input voltages from 9-33V DC.  It also provides critical protection from reverse polarity, voltage spikes and low battery charge, giving Hella marine products a reliable, long service life.

The heavy-duty, Polyamide optical nylon lens provides excellent strength and impact resistance.  Available in attractive black or white models, the tough polymer housing is UV-resistant and stands up to shock and vibration.  The lamps are conveniently fit-and-forget, with no bulbs to break or change.

Hermetically sealed to IP 67 standards, the Sea Hawk flush-mounted lamps measure 176mm L x 50mm W x 35mm D, fitting into a footprint

42mm W.  Installation is simple as the lamps are pre-wired with 0.5m of tinned, twin-core marine cable, ensuring water tightness and a reliable electrical connection.

For applications where directional light is needed, Hella marine's original Sea Hawk lamps feature a polished 316 marine-grade stainless steel mounting bracket.  The clever swivel design holds the lamp steady at the desired angle without adjusting the fasteners.  All Hella marine Sea Hawk lamps are CE approved.

Contact Hella marine Headquarters, 81/83 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga, Auckland 1706, New Zealand.  +64 9 577 0000; Fax: +64 9 576 2476.   JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING ; www.hellamarine.com. Hella marine Europe, Fahrzeugteile Austria, Fabriksgasse 2, A-7503, Grosspetersdorf, Austria.  +43 3362900 1173; Fax: +43 3362900 1118.   JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING .

B&G, the world leader in instruments, autopilot systems and tactical software solutions for yachtsmen, will be previewing its new Triton instrument and autopilot range for the first time at the 2011 Southampton Boat Show. B&G has developed the Triton system to provide cruising and club racing customers with high?quality, easy to use navigation systems at an attractive price.

Triton features the biggest and clearest display in its class, with a 4.1?inch sunlight viewable screen that is nearly 40 per cent larger than most traditional models. This is combined with B&G’s unique LCD display bonding process to provide unrivalled contrast with zero risk of condensation, coupled with outstanding longevity and durability. The latest in LCD technology provides full colour graphics, but with only half the power consumption of other similar instruments, making it ideal for sailing yachts, day or night.

Utilising a multi?lingual user interface derived from B&G’s award?winning Zeus navigation system, Triton offers users straightforward menus that provide simple operation via Up, Down and Enter keys while a dedicated Page key allows quick selection of the most useful data.

Boat builders and dealers will appreciate the straightforward installation of Triton instruments due to the use of industry standard micro?C connectors and a simple daisychain connection option. Triton is also compatible with many other NMEA2000 products.

Visitors will be able to see Triton alongside B&G’s Zeus integrated navigation system on the new Gunfleet 43 being launched at the Southampton Boat Show. Gunfleet Chairman Richard Matthews, of Oyster fame, has announced that integrated B&G Zeus and Triton systems will be the standard fit on their new range of premium cruising yachts.

Richard Mathews commented: “I have always relied on B&G on my race boats and now that they have launched a cruising range of instruments and radar chartplotters that are easy to use at a competitive price for boat builders, they are the obvious choice for Gunfleet.”

George Pollard, Managing Director of B&G in the UK added: “Triton marks a distinct move for B&G into the cruising market and we’re excited that we are able to utilise the technology from our proven race bred technology and our experience in offshore cruising. This means we are now able to offer a fully integrated system for cruising yachtsmen that allows them to benefit from the unique sailing functions of B&G systems via a product that is simple and intuitive to operate from the moment they step onboard.”

Triton instruments and autopilots will be available from January 2012, perfect for a winter re?fit, and the displays are priced at just £415 (ex VAT). For more info visit www.bandg.com

Brilliant Colour Fishfinder/Chartplotter and Easy-To-Use Portable Ice Fishing Pack Deliver Performance and Versatility to Meet the Needs of Ice Anglers

Lowrance, a world-leader in marine electronics since 1957, announced today the latest addition to its popular ice fishing product line, the Elite-5 IceMachine™. Designed for portable performance and flexibility, the Lowrance Elite-5 color fishfinder/chartplotter and re-designed Ice Fishing Pack provide a convenient, high quality solution to enhance every ice fishing excursion.

The Lowrance Elite-5 IceMachine features a true 5-inch, 480x480-pixel SolarMAX™ 256-color display with high-quality brightness for superior viewing of chart detail and sonar graphs – even in the brightest sunlight and from wider viewing angles – that will not fade or slow down in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Designed with colour palette options and a special ice mode, the Elite-5 also has a backlit, enhanced keypad that is configured for simplified single-thumb control of easy-to-use menus and an Advanced User Mode for expanded feature selections.

The Elite-5 IceMachine features a weighted, bullet-shaped 200 kHz ice transducer, with a 20-degree sonar cone, that sounds depths to 1,000 feet and transmits 4,000 watts peak-to-peak power and 500 watts RMS power. The pack also includes an Ice Transducer Float. Anglers can conveniently run the transducer cable through the Float to adjust the depth of the transducer in the ice hole.

The Elite-5 IceMachine has a built-in 16-channel GPS+WAAS precision antenna with an external antenna option and houses a waterproof micro SD memory card slot for multiple mapcard options, including Lowrance LakeMaster® ProMaps, Fishing Hot Spots® PRO and Navionics® Gold.

The Elite-5 IceMachine’s Ice Fishing Pack is a weatherproof soft nylon bag with zippered front and rear access, that comes with a sealed 12 vDC battery and charger, as well as space for an optional second battery. The Ice Fishing Pack has adjustable mounting-height options to elevate the display for easier viewing and control. With handy slots for two included StowAway® tackle trays, the pack also provides rod-holder slots and side mesh zipper pockets. For the ultimate in convenience, the Lowrance Ice Fishing Pack has a new, more-user-friendly transducer and cord-positioning system to minimize the hassle of removing the transducer and bag from the ice hole when a fish is hooked. The Elite-5 IceMachine is fully waterproof to the IPx7 standard and is protected by a one-year limited warranty. Transducer, power cable and bracket accessory options are also available for using the Elite-5 all year long for open water fishing from a boat.

The Lowrance Elite-5 IceMachine will be available from your local Lowrance dealer at the beginning of September and is priced at just £696 (inc VAT). For more information visit www.lowrance.com

Digital Yacht has launched a new AIS product designed specifically for use with PC based navigation systems. The new AIS receiver, called uAIS,  connects via USB direct to a PC or MAC and comes with a 5m USB cable.  Its integrated antenna makes it a true plug 'n' play AIS solution for your onboard computer.

More and more boat owners are now using their PC (with electronic charting software) for on board navigation and many of these programs support an AIS overlay.  The economics make sense too with a PC and software costing less than £400. To buy a large screen plotter like this would normally cost thousands.

Simply plug in the USB cable and set up your software to view AIS data.  uAIS can be placed in the cockpit, under a spray hood, clipped on a rail or even permanently mounted, and will typically receive targets from up to 10NM even when mounted at deck level.  So, not only is it kind to your wallet, but it’s also extremely versatile.  It would also be ideal for use on a charter boat as it’s self-powered from the computer and doesn’t require connection to the boat’s battery system.

AIS is a great tool for use with a compatible electronic chart program.  uAIS will provide an overlay of nearby ships and other vessels equipped with AIS and also allows their identity, name, course and speed to be established with a click of the mouse.  It is a great aid to anti-collision and makes navigation easier and safer.

uAIS incorporates a powerful digital, dual channel receiver so that both AIS frequencies can be monitored simultaneously for the best possible performance.  It is priced at £175.00 plus VAT and will be launched at the Southampton Boat Show on stand G093.  For further information telephone +44 (0)117 955 4474, send an email to JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING or visit www.digitalyacht.co.uk

Garmin® is pleased to announce worldwide coverage availability for the updated 2011.5 format for BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision, replacing the previous 2011 version.  The well known BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision charts complement and enhance our marine and handheld product line with multiple user benefits:

• Deep water depth contours in the Fishing Chart display included in both BlueChart g2 and BlueChart g2   Vision formats
• Seamless data transition between zoom levels and harmonious transition across chart borders
• Lower cost, BlueChart g2 electronic option for the Garmin handheld series and lower-end plotters
• “Safety Shading” settings with a selection of up to five values
• Standardised depth contours and isobath areas combining the best available data from multiple sources to create the most accurate and detailed chart available.

Highlights

For the first time, Garmin users can navigate through the beautiful Shannon region water ways in Ireland. The update has also extended navigation capability to Olso, the Amazon River and South America.

Added benefits

These updated charts are available via  microSD/SD card or download - perfect for your existing Garmin chartplotter or handheld.

Trade in your old g2 or g2 Vision chart and receive 50% off the updated card – visit your local Garmin Dealer or Chandlery to take advantage of this.

Don’t forget to pop in to Southampton Boat Show, stand GO26 to see this mapping in action.

Garmin are pleased to present the GDL 40 - an affordable marine weather solution that brings on-demand graphical weather and radar data directly to a compatible NMEA 2000 Garmin chartplotter.

The GDL 40 communicates with nearby cellular networks signals to receive weather data from Digital CycloneSM, a leading weather provider and subsidiary of Garmin Ltd, and provides coverage for the US, Canada and Europe on a day-to-day basis, as needed. Once activated, users can purchase day passes from the device to begin receiving 24 hours of continuous weather data. Simply select the ‘Buy Weather’ option on the chartplotter to begin downloading weather data, including live weather radar, wind speeds/direction, sea surface temperatures, wave heights, local forecasts, country/marine warnings, lightning and more.

Annual and day pass fees apply and vary by country. In Europe, the first-year activation fee is included with the purchase of a GDL 40, and after that a nominal £9.99 annual fee keeps your weather account active. Once the GDL 40 is activated, customers can purchase day passes from the device for £4.99. RRP £199.99

Garmin have introduced the Montana hand-held GPS device – the most advanced Garmin touch screen navigator to date, featuring a rugged design with multiple uses: on foot, on the water and in the car. With battery options, a large dual-orientation screen and support for a wide range of Garmin cartography, Montana is Garmin’s most versatile GPS for the serious adventurer.

The Montana has a barometric altimeter for elevation profiling and advanced routing functions using preloaded high-definition worldwide mapping. The built-in three-axis compass gives the Montana a heading even when standing still or held at an angle. Montana’s glove-friendly responsive touch screen is a generous 4" (10.2 cm) and the photos taken by its 5-megapixel autofocus camera on the 650 and 650T models are displayed in sunlight-readable brilliant colour.

Montana is fully waterproof and capable of withstanding all the mud and grit you can throw at it, even when connected to its optional power mount. The RRP prices start from £429.99 for the Montana 600, £499.99 for the Montana 650 and £549.99 for the Montana 650T.